Green infrastructure helps to reduce flooding by increasing the natural absorption of stormwater into the ground and uptake by plants. In addition, green infrastructure practices and projects can capture water for use in irrigation, reduce water pollution in our lakes and streams, save energy and money in our stormwater management systems, improve air quality, and increase land values by beautifying our communities.

CNT applauds the efforts of Representative Mike Fortner (R – West Chicago), who sponsored both bills in the House, and Senators Dave Koehler (D – Peoria) and Tom Cullerton (D – Villa Park), who sponsored HB 1522 and SB 1869, respectively, as well as their many co-sponsors. Please join us in thanking these thoughtful legislators who are working hard for the people of Illinois on a problem that is getting lots of press lately: urban flooding.

[More: The Prevalence and Cost of Urban Flooding, CNT’s first-of-its-kind analysis of urban flooding that combines insurance claims, property owner reports, and geography of flooding in cities.]

HB 1522 is a “pilot” bill that gives two of our more urbanized counties, DuPage and Peoria, the authority to experiment with stormwater user fees that provide incentives for the use of green infrastructure while improving flood control programs and spreading the cost of such work more broadly and equitably than property taxes do. SB 1869 makes it clear that all municipalities in Illinois can and should use a broad array of stormwater management strategies, including more cost-effective green infrastructure practices, to ensure that we use our scarce public funds wisely while reducing flood damage.

CNT provided expert assistance to craft and improve these bills to ensure that they give our communities appropriate tools for managing stormwater, to reduce the damage that comes from flooding, and to find new ways to treat runoff as a resource rather than a nuisance.

For more information, please contact Hal Sprague, Manager of Water Policy at CNT: 773-269-4046.

CHICAGO (May 14, 2013)—When it comes to flooding in cities, it makes little difference whether a property is located within a floodplain or not—damage happens, happens often, and can inflict significant costs. This stark lack of correlation between property damage claims and recognized floodplains is among the key findings of The Prevalence and Cost of Urban Flooding, a report released today by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT).

The report, the first of its kind to collectively analyze flood damage claims and sewer- and drain-backup claims data from multiple providers of insurance and other financial assistance, is part of a first phase of research at CNT on the prevalence and cost of flooding to property owners—such as homes and businesses—in urban and suburban areas. Urban flooding is caused by too much rain overwhelming drainage systems and waterways, and making its way into basements, backyards, and streets.

CNT researchers took the unprecedented step of combining insurance claims payout data for property damage in Cook County, IL (between 2007–2011, aggregated by ZIP code), with analysis of 115 responses to an online survey of property owners in Cook County that experienced property flooding in the last five years.

Key points emerging from the report:

• Urban flooding in Cook County is chronic and systemic, resulting in damage that is widespread, repetitive and costly. Our analysis identified 177,000 claims made across 96 percent of Cook County ZIP codes, and in each of the five years. This is the equivalent of one in six properties in the County making a claim. Average payouts per claim were $3,733 across all types of claims, with total claims amounting to $660 million over the five years examined. Seventy percent of the online survey respondents estimate that they had flooded three or more times in the last five years, 20 percent have flooded 10 or more times.
• There are multiple social and economic impacts on property owners. Our online survey found that 84 percent suffered stress and 13 percent ill health. Forty-one percent lost the use of part of their property, 63 percent lost valuables and 74 percent lost hours of work to clean up.
• There is no correlation between damage payouts and the floodplains. When all types of claims are aggregated, some of the Cook County ZIP codes with the highest concentration of payouts (number and value) have no land area located within federally designated floodplains.

• Claims were made across income groups, however 67 percent of the 27 ZIP codes with the highest concentrations of damage earn below the average median household income for Cook County.
• Flood insurance is not carrying the burden of damage payouts. Claims via the National Flood Insurance Program—the only formal ‘flood’ insurance program—represent just 10 percent of total payouts.

• No clear solutions for property owners. The vast majority—76 percent of online survey respondents—had invested in measures to prevent future flooding, such as downspout disconnection and pumps, but only six percent believed that the investment had solved their flooding problem.

“In looking at the data we have, which is unique, we saw a somewhat shocking picture of the cost and frequency of urban flood damage,” said Harriet Festing, Water Program Director at CNT. “More shocking is that we know it represents a significant understatement of actual flood damage. There’s more data out there from insurers and property owners that will tell an even more disheartening story.”

Research conducted by CNT in 2012 indicates that communities across the Great Lakes region are suffering from the impacts of urban flooding caused by moderate and heavy rain running off roofs, roads, and parking lots. The economic and social consequences can be considerable: experts estimate that wet basements decrease property values by 10-25 percent, and that almost 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a flooding disaster.

“This report is further evidence of an increasingly persistent and prevalent problem, and one that cannot and should not be left to property owners to solve on their own,” said Kathryn Tholin, CEO of CNT. “There are steps that cities and counties can take now to protect properties and encourage smarter stormwater management.”

The Prevalence and Cost of Urban Flooding also finds that communities affected by urban flooding are not benefiting from state and federal programs and incentives designed to support them. For example, CNT research shows that only 19 of the 133 communities in Cook County are participating in FEMA’s Community Rating System, and that Cook County does not have a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. This means that the majority of property owners in ZIP codes with high urban flood damage payouts are unable to benefit from reduced flood insurance rates and other protective measures that form part of the programs.

CNT is engaging a broad set of stakeholders in an expansion of this research, and is designing innovative and cost-effective solutions to protect homes and businesses in the future. This work includes the development and promotion of state legislation—the provisionally dubbed ‘Dry Basements Act’— and the nation’s first wet weather Wetrofit® service.

On June 13, 2013, CNT will convene Cook County property owners, contractors, elected officials and others at The Gross Gathering, an event intended to document urban flooding stories, and work with property owners to develop swift, affordable, neighborhood solutions.

This research is part of CNT’s Smart Water for Smart Regions initiative dedicated to inventive solutions and advocacy focused on water supply and stormwater in the Great Lakes states.

Visit www.cnt.org/water for more information.

CONTACT
Ryan Kilpatrick, 773.269.4041; Harriet Festing, 773.269.4042

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Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on transportation, energy, water, community development, and climate. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.

1. Document the evidence of flooding in your community. All too quickly, as the sun shines, people will forget about the magnitude of their problems. But you’ll need this information—on the costs of the damage and other impacts—as you and your neighbors advocate for solutions over the coming months.

CNT is partnering with urban Illinois communities to gather information and photos of flooding impacts. If you get your village or municipality to circulate this survey link to property owners and they fill out the survey, we will compile and aggregate the information for your community free of charge (and anonymously), and provide it to you to share in your discussions. You can email us your photos directly.

2. Find out if your community is protected. Two crucial programs, run by FEMA, are designed specifically to help homes and businesses just like yours.

Our research in Cook County, IL, has found that while most (but not all) communities are benefiting from federally guaranteed insurance as part of the National Flood Insurance Program, far fewer are benefiting from the more comprehensive Community Rating System, which offers a suite of measures to guard against development that may aggravate your flooding problems, as well as discounted flood insurance. Our advice: get your community to participate NOW. (Don’t know if your community is participating? Email us.)

3. Plan properly. A key reason that your basement is flooded is the high levels of impervious surfaces in your neighborhoods: roads, roofs, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and patios are all contributing to your problems. Green infrastructure programs are designed to reduce run-off by absorbing this water. But having a few randomly located rain gardens or some permeable paving won’t solve the whole problem. Your community needs a comprehensive plan of action, with measurable targets, that’s tied into existing development work in the neighborhood. CNT has a specially designed process to help you. Contact us now, if you would like us to talk to your community about it.

Want to know more? Contact Harriet Festing, CNT’s Water Program Director.

Flickr image: NASA Goddard Photo and Video

CNT is part of a collaborative team working to assist Illinois’ Lake Michigan water supply utilities improve water loss control. The year-long project aims to identify the obstacles, best practices, and potential solutions for managing water loss by Lake Michigan public water suppliers.

Unchecked water loss within water supply systems is of public concern: it wastes money, hinders the economy, and risks long-term water scarcity. Water loss from crumbling infrastructure, faulty metering, and flat-out theft leads to lost revenue for utilities and higher rates from consumers. With rates going up and infrastructure integrity going down, we need to rethink our investments in water resources, and from all sides: rate payers, utilities, and municipalities.

We need to fix the leaks.

The Great Lakes region is a perfect place to focus efforts on water loss. The Great Lakes states are stewards of the world’s largest available source of fresh water, and represent nearly 30 percent of our nation’s gross domestic product and about 60 percent of all US manufacturing.

“Fixing the leaks in the Great Lakes states is a smart investment that will ease burdens on utilities and consumers, create jobs, spur innovation, protect human health, and set a national standard for good governance and resource protection,” says Danielle Gallet, CNT’s infrastructure strategist.

The project is in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Water Resources, Lake Michigan Water Allocation Program.

The work is part of CNT’s Smart Water for Smart Regions program, which aims to help communities deliver water services to homes and businesses more efficiently, effectively, and transparently, while sustaining the region’s water resources.

For more information on CNT’s on water loss work, please contact Danielle Gallet, Water Supply Program Manager.

The Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program offers City of Chicago residents information and rebates of up to 50% on purchases of sustainable backyard improvements, including:

• TREES (up to $100 back)
• NATIVE PLANTS (up to $60 back)
• COMPOST BINS (up to $50 back)
• RAIN BARRELS (up to $40 back)

The new sustainablebackyards.org website features several enhancements to the popular program:

• Chicago residents can now submit rebate applications online, using a smartphone or digital camera to quickly upload a photo of their receipts.
• An interactive map showcases information about where to purchase trees, native plants, compost bins, and rain barrels in the Chicagoland region.
• The program’s blog not only includes educational backyard advice, but also highlights stories of Chicagoans who made improvements in their backyards.
• An events calendar of Sustainable Backyards workshops and events makes it easy for residents to connect with the program and other program participants near where they live.

“The new website will make both the rebates and the educational component of this program more accessible to the public,” said Sustainable Backyards program coordinator Sarita Upadhyay. “Chicagoans can also use the new site to connect with each other and share innovative ideas for their properties.”

“The Sustainable Backyards Program encourages Chicagoans to be part of the solution to issues surrounding water, waste, energy, and habitat loss. This program is successful because it calls on residents to help make Chicago more sustainable, one backyard at a time. The new website will make it even easier to be part of the solution,” said Karen Weigert, Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein commented, “The City of Chicago is proud to offer such a unique program to our residents. CDOT typically works on sustainability in the public way, and we’re excited to also promote stormwater management and green infrastructure on private property while saving residents money.”

Sustainable Backyards emphasizes the role of green infrastructure in alleviating basement and neighborhood flooding, and reducing the flow of polluted water into our rivers and Lake Michigan. Green infrastructure, as opposed to gray infrastructure (such as pipes), uses natural processes in order to infiltrate, evaporate, and/or reuse stormwater. Sustainable Backyards rebate-eligible items provide many benefits, from improving soils to cooling the air and fostering a sense of community.

Sustainable Backyards is part of CNT’s “Smart Water for Smart Regions” initiative, which includes research, inventive solutions, and regional advocacy focused on water supply and stormwater management in the Great Lakes region. Sustainable Backyards complements CNT’s wet weather retrofitting program, “Wetrofit,” which, in its pilot phase, will provide audits and resources for properties with basement flooding issues in Chicago’s Albany Park and Rogers Park neighborhoods.

Sustainable Backyards is funded by the City of Chicago and a USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant.

City of Chicago residents can find more information at www.sustainablebackyards.org, or by contacting info@sustainablebackyards.org or 773-269-4086.

CONTACT

CNT: Sarita Upadhyay, 773-269-4086

CDOT: Sean Wiedel, 312-744-8182

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Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on transportation, energy, water, community development, and climate. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.

Over the past year, CNT has interviewed Cook County residents who have experienced flooding. Several of them have shared their stories with CNT. Overall the estimated cost of damage and repairs ranged from $1,000 to $330,000. Here are some of their stories:

Gregory Ehrendreich owns a unit in a condo building in the northwest side and has had problems with basement flooding. “Flooding has damaged the basement unit (currently being rented out by its owners who have moved out of the building) as well as causing sump-pump failures requiring repair of one and replacement of the other” he said. Michelle Gilliam’s home has flooded three times in the last five years. She estimates that the flooding has cost her more than $15,000 in damages to her home and another $30,000 in lost wages and lost valuables.

Mark Nilson wants to protect his home from flood damage. “We saw evidence of small foundational leaks while going through our “walk through” before purchase of our home. We want to know now what we can do to prevent an event” he said. Diane Tecic is a new resident in her building. She hasn’t experienced flooding yet, but she knows her neighbors have and her residence shows signs of past flood damage.

Scott DeBlaze has had issues with flooding three times in the last five years. “The basement sewer lines back up and flood the basement. We now have everything in plastic tubs off the ground to protect against this” he reports. Christopher Kowal lost the use of part of the property he rents and spent hours cleaning up damage from flooding, which has affected his home five times in the last five years.

Glen Szczypka lives in a 1920s bungalow and has dealt with flooding 15 times in the last five years. He estimates that flooding has caused about $2,000 in damage to his property and is saving up to install a $6,000 overhead sewer system. Carmen Vidal-Hallett disconnected her downspout and installed a rain garden to prevent flooding in her home. She also installed a one-way valve on the main sewer pipe in the basement and deconstructed the original concrete side walkway into permeable pavers.

During the July 2011 hundred-year storm, Peter Robinson’s family lost carpeting, drywall and bathroom vanity as well as some furniture. “We had installed a sump pump years ago and that could not even stop summer 2011’s flooding. It seems like several neighbors have back flow valves now that have helped them and hurt us. Not sure how that is legal,” he said. Jeremiah Boland works at a nonprofit organization on the southwest side of Chicago. He says flooding has caused “significant damage to our historic building. Nothing seems to help. We have undertaken many projects to deal with it without much success.”

If you have experience flooding and would like to share your story with us, please fill out this survey. Your story will give us the data we need to make the case for action.

Staff member, Danielle Gallet—who heads up the Water Supply Program—will be representing CNT’s work on water-loss control at WaterCon 2013, the Midwest’s largest water and wastewater conference. Danielle currently serves as Chair of the Water Efficiency Committee for the IL Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and sits on the national committees of AWWA’s Water Resources Planning and Management Committee, and their Water Loss Control Committee.

Hal Sprague, who oversees CNT’s water policy, is serving on the national stormwater committee of the Water Environment Federation, as well as the Post Development Stormwater Runoff Standard (PDSWRS) Work Group of the IL Environment Protection Agency. In August 2013, Hal will be presenting CNT’s work on green infrastructure retrofit standards at the American Public Works Association International Public Works Congress & Exposition.

Ryan Wilson, Stormwater Program Manager, will also be presenting at the conference, with a focus on ‘Collaborating to Retrofit Communities for 21st Century Weather’.

Launched in 2012, the goal of Smart Water for Smart Regions is to help communities in the eight Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) deliver water services to homes and businesses more efficiently, effectively, and transparently, while sustaining the region’s water resources.  The initiative is funded by State Farm, the Surdna Foundation and Joyce Foundation.

Learn more about ‘Smart Water for Smart Regions’ here.>>

“Photo Credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video/Flickr Creative Commons”

The insurance company, State Farm, has renewed its support for CNT’s “Smart Water for Smart Regions” initiative.

State Farm was a core supporter of the initiative in 2012, along with the Joyce Foundation and Surdna Foundation. Funding is being used to help communities develop strategies to alleviate costly water leakages, as well as property damage from flooding. Organizational supporters include the American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, Alliance for Water Efficiency, and the Great Lakes Commission.

“State Farm’s leadership in this pioneering Great Lakes initiative is greatly appreciated” says Kathy Tholin, CNT’s CEO. Launched in 2012, the goal of “Smart Water for Smart Regions” is to help communities in the eight Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) deliver water services to homes and businesses more efficiently, effectively, and transparently, while sustaining the region’s water resources.

For further information contact Harriet Festing, Director, CNT’s water program.

Since the Governor has ordered that this money should be invested in local and regional projects through the State Revolving Loan Funds, now is a perfect time for local governments and counties to apply for low interest loans (1.93%) for their water supply and stormwater projects that will prevent leaks, improve water quality and reduce urban flooding.

On the stormwater side, Illinois EPA, which administers the loans, is specifically interested in applications for stormwater projects that cost-effectively reduce pollution, such as with green infrastructure projects that use infiltration, evapotranspiration and collection of stormwater for reuse. March 31, 2013 is the deadline for filing “pre-applications” for loan funding in the next fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2013.  Information on how to apply for these low interest loans for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects can be found on the IEPA’s website.

Because stormwater projects have only recently become eligible for loans, the forms on the IEPA website do not yet reflect the changes. IEPA requests that applicants contact them directly to discuss their pre-applications.

CNT’s research on urban flooding reveals the magnitude of the damage to homes and properties as a result of poor stormwater infrastructure. Thousands of Illinois homes and businesses are affected each year by property flooding.  The results—sewer backups, basement seepage, property damage and street ponding —collectively cost residents and businesses millions of dollars annually.

Communities attempting to comply with federal stormwater management and pollution prevention requirements have traditionally received little or no financial assistance, whereas wastewater and water supply utilities have been eligible for the low interest loans provided by the revolving funds for several decades.

The $1Billion Initiative is expected to create 28,500 jobs annually, protect public health, and drive community and business growth across Illinois.

For more information, contact Hal Sprague, Manager of Water Policy.

As communities continue to grapple with budget shortfalls, mounting water infrastructure needs and overwhelming stormwater pollution problems, we need to ensure we are making the best water infrastructure investment decisions and utilizing funds the most efficiently.

Based-off lessons learned during an IRP pilot project CNT and its partners conducted in 2011, CNT has created a succinct 10-step guide for communities in how to implement IRP in their community. This how-to fact sheet can help guide any community in how to move toward a more sustainable approach to water resource planning and management. IRP is a holistic planning approach that can help improve water service efficiency, which helps conserve water resources, reduces costs and bolsters community prosperity and vitality.

See if this innovative approach to water management is right for your community:
“Implementing Integrated Water Resource Planning in Your Community”
This 10-Step Guide can help your community as it moves towards more sustainable water planning.
Download » (474 kb) – Fact Sheet

For more information about CNTs integrated water resource planning work including a white paper and a final recommendations report from a pilot project, click here.